Tour Details

The Laya-Gasa Trek is considered one of the most scenic treks in Bhutan, offering amazing views of some of the most pristine and unspoiled landscapes in Bhutan. This eleven days on trek, 217 km journey begins at Sharna Zampa in Paro and takes you through gorgeous alpine meadows, high mountain passes and dense sub-tropical jungles before terminating in Damji in Tashithang,Gasa.Along the trail you’ll be able to spot indigenous animals such as blue sheep and Takins, the national animal of Bhutan. You’ll travel through remote mountain villages inhabited by Layaps (people of Laya), a distinct segment of the Bhutanese society with unique culture, traditions and appearance. The trek also offers a day of relaxation at the famous Gasa hot springs that is sure to rejuvenate you.This is one of the more difficult treks offered in Bhutan due to the high altitudes and steep ascents and descents along the path.

Best seasons;- April to June and Mid-September to Mid-NovemberStart :- Paro,Gunitsawa Finish;- Gasa, Gasa Dzong.

Also includes USD 65 sustainable fee and USD 40/30 surcharges (01/02 person in the group, per night per person) to Govt. for alleviation of poverty, building infrastructure, free health, and education.

Price Excludes

Flight Cost

Bhutan have only two Airlines which fly in/out of country. Below mentioned airfare are average air fare for the flight to/from Bhutan as it fluctuates.

Route/Sector

Round trip Fare(USD)

Economy

Bangkok –Paro- Bangkok (Thailand)

730

Delhi-Paro-Delhi (India)

580

Kathmandu-Paro-Kathmandu (Nepal)

410

Dhaka- Paro-Dhaka(Bangladesh)

450

Kolkata- Paro-Kolkata (India)

390

Bagdogra-Paro-Bagdogra(India)

270

Singapore-Paro-singapore(Singapore)

890

Discounts

Children between the ages of 5-12 years shall be given 50% discount on minimum daily package rate.

Full time students below the age of 25 years, holding valid identity cards from their academic institutions, shall be given 25% discount on minimum daily package rate.

Trip Cancellation & Refund Policy

0% charges will be made for the tour cancelled 7 weeks or more prior to arrival date.

50% penalty on the total tour cost for the tour cancelled less than 7 weeks prior to arrival date. This is because by this time hotels would be already booked and company is subject to cancellation charges for rooms and other logistics cancelled in less than 7 weeks.

100% charges after arrival in Bhutan, no refund will be made.

Itinerary

Day 1Arrival and sightseeing in Paro (2250m /7382ft)

As we fly to Bhutan we can get a spectacular views of the Himalayas .At the airport, we will be greeted by a
representative from A Bucket list Adventure who will take us to our hotel. Today, we will visit National museum ( a best start to know about the culture, history, People and biodiversity of Bhutan), Visit Paro Dzong (fortress) built in 17th century which now house an administration and monastic body of the Paro district . In the Evening stroll around town’s main street. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

Day 2Tiger nest; acclimatization and drive to sharna Zampa(2700m)

After breakfast, we hike for 4 -5 hours to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery, which is Bhutan’s most famous monastery situated at 3,180 meters. In 8th century Guru Rinpoche (spiritual master) is said to have flown on the back of a tigress to meditate in a cave where Taktsang Monastery now stands. Lunch will be served in the Cafeteria Restaurant, located about halfway up the mountain. After having explored the monastery, we hike down to the valley We will drive to North of Paro passing by Drugyel Dzong, (a ruin fortress built in 17th century to commemorate the victory over Tibetan and Mongolian tribes ) to Sharna Zampa, where we and our trekking crew will be camping for overnight.

Day 3Sharna Zampa - Thangthangkha

On this long day, the trail continues with lots of small ups and downs. After going uphill through the river valley the valley finally narrows gradually to a mere path which descends to a meadow where a camp will be set up.We will have a great view of Mt. Jhomolhari from the camp site.

Day 4Thangthangkha – Jangothang

Distance 19 km, 5-6 hours, 480 m ascent, camp altitude 4,080 m.

If you did not see Mt. Jomolhari the previous evening, we will still have a chance to get a great view early this morning. This morning the trek continues up the Paro Chhu valley which widens into patches of alpine meadow and scanty growth of forest.We will cross an army check post along the way before we reach a village of soe, Takethang and Dangothang. We will camp at Jangothang (Jhomolhari base camp) with a spectacular view of Mt.Jhomolhari(7314m).

Day 5Jangothang Halt

The rest day in Jangothang provides plenty of possibilities for day hikes with great views of lakes and snow capped mountains such as Jomolhari and Jichu Drake. There are good chances to spot some blue sheep on the upper slopes of the valley. Jangothang is a perfect environment for our acclimation, we can go for day hike(2hrs) to Tshophu(4500m) , a glacier twin lake on the north -east of camp site.From Tshophu, we can get a great View of Mt.Jhomolhari and Mt.Jichu Drakey (6898m).

Day 6Jangothang – Lingshi

A short distance from the camp the trail begins climbing rapidly for about an hour and then becomes a gradual ascent to the Nyilila pass at 4,870m, from where we can see most of the Himalayan snow capped peak.We can also get a great view of Tsheringma/Tserimgang(6500m) next to Jichu Drakey. While on the climb we might see herds of Blue sheep gazing on the slopes of mountain and Marmot spying on us near their holes on certain times of the year.We can also see some Yak herders camp along the trail as we decent to Lingshi, we will camp by the side of River , at Chasithang camp site.

Day 7Lingshi – Chebisa

Today is the shortest walking day, and we can really take it easy. Shortly after starting we will reach a chorten below Lingshi Dzong. Here, you have the choice of staying on the main trail or taking a detour up to Lingshi Dzong (4220m),which sits right up on the ridge. we will walk further straight on the side of the mountain to Gongyul/Goyul, a village with stone houses clustered together before reaching camp site at Chebisa, another small beautiful village.

Day 8Chebisa – Shomuthang

The morning starts with a long ascent behind Chebisa Village (2-3 hours) through a wide pastureland towards Gobu La/Gogu la pass(4410m). On the way, you will see a few people herding yaks. There is also a great chance to spot Blue sheep above the trail.After Crossing Gogu la,We can spot yellow strain on the rock ,those are the licked salt rock by the wild animals like Takin. we will descend to valley and climb a little bit before descending again to Shakshepasa(3980m). Climbing from here, we finally reach our camp site at Shomuthang.

Day 9Shomuthang – Robluthang

We begin by climbing up the valley to view Kang Bum (6,526 m) and some edelweiss. After two hours of climbing we will reach Jhari La (4,750m), from where you catch the first glimpse of Sinche La, the pass we will cross day after.We can get a view of Gangcheenta(6840m) in the north also. We will then descend down to wide valley of Tshari jathang, where Takin migrate in the summer for the running salt steam in the middle of open ground and also to escape warm leeched valley in south. we will make a little climb before we reach our rocky meadow camp site at Robluthang.

Day 10Robluthang – Limithang

The trek starts out with an initial 40-60mins ascent before gradually raising for another 1.5 hours through a boulder field. It is then a 1 hour steep ascent before reaching Sinche La (5,005m) – the final and highest Pass on this trek.As we descend down we will see moraines and out busted lake space. We will cross Kango chhu before reaching Limithang camp site. We can get a spectacular view of Gangchhenta,Tiger mountain from the camp site.

Day 11Limithang – Laya

Today, you walk downhill all the way along a narrow, winding river valley. After a long time, the trail takes you through densely forested region. The trail leads you to the west side of Laya village. From the west we can get great view of Gangchhenta and catch Mt. Masagang(7160m). Laya is one of the remote village in the country and has its own unique tradition,culture,apperance and dress.we will pass by a health unit and community school before we reach campsite.

Day 12Laya – Koina

The trail winds up and down along the river valley of Mo Chhu avoiding natural obstacles and affording breath-taking views of the raging river, feeder streams and waterfalls. Lots of ups and downs will lead us to kohi Laptsa at 3300m.The trek then drop down to koina chhu where we will find our camp site.

Day 13Koina – Gasa

Today you will have the last major climb of the Laya Gasa Trek. You will cross Bari La (3,740m), after which the trail descends all the way until you reach Gasa village (2,770m). We can camp below the Gasa Dzong or we can drop for another hour to Gasa Hot spring and relax in the rejuvenating mineral water.

Day 15Gasa- Thimphu via Punakha

Drive 6hrs,105km
Today we will bid farewell to our trekking crew and take a scenic drive to Thimphu via Punakha. we will visit Punakha Dzong before our lunch at the restaurant in Punakha. we will drive through the broad-leaved, pine and rhododendron forest before we reach Dochu la pass(3150m), where we can see Himalayan range ,if the sky is clear. Then after 30mins of drive, we will reach a capital city of Bhutan,Thimphu. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

Day 16Depart, Thimphu -Paro

Drive 1hr,55km
Today after breakfast, we will drive to Paro Airport and our representative will bid you farewell at the Airport. If you have enough time before flight, probably you can discuss with your guide and visit some places around.